Australian ticketholders ecstatic about the Canada v USA games
World-class ice hockey is coming to Australia, through a series of exhibition games that promise to not disappoint even the most sceptical of sport lovers.
The Australian Ice Hockey League is supporting the three games held in NSW and Victoria promoted by The Douglas Webber Group.
Since 2000, the Australian Ice Hockey League has been fighting for a place in Australia’s sporting climate and events such as this will undoubtedly secure the league a few more fans.
39-year-old Sydneysider Daniel Burton and self-described ‘Sports Guy’ is one of the ticketholders to the June 22nd game who is excited despite not being a regular ice hockey fan.
“I’m a fan of American sports, and ice hockey is the one sport I have never experienced live. To have a high profile game in my home town seemed like a great opportunity to experience it.”
“I can’t wait to see the US and Canadian hockey rivalry in the flesh, complete with all of the passion, speed, intensity and hopefully, some fights that make hockey so exciting.” said Burton.
No expense has been spared for bringing the NHL on the road; on June 22nd the Allphones Arena will be transformed in to a ‘House of Hockey’ with facilities that won’t disappoint seasoned fans.
On the Fly Hockey reporter Cory Savidant will be covering the Sydney game. Savidant believes the exhibition games will deliver; his confidence lies in his AIHL experience.
“The AIHL can and does offer an authentic experience,” said Savidant, who follows the Sydney Bears. “For the international series I would hope there will be screens showing replays, excellent announcing of goals and penalties, as well as some sort of pre-game entertainment.”
To cater for first-time fans, Savidant notes that the announcing and on screen replays must be top notch as it’s conducive to understanding the game.
Someone who is inbetween ‘Sports Guy’ Burton and hockey reporter Savidant is Phil Cannan. Cannan is a fan of the National Hockey League and is yet to find an AIHL team; perhaps the hardest of the group to impress. As long as they’ve “done their homework” he says, he’ll be sold.
“I expect the atmosphere to be very loud, and the crowd to be encouraged to roar,” said Cannan who believes the calibre of the players and the team rivalry are the game’s drawing cards.
“It really is the perfect chance to make the average Joe aware of ice hockey in Australia. I had no idea that we had a competition of any degree until now,” said Cannan who will be visiting an AIHL information stall at the game, provided everything goes according to his expectations.
“If this works out how I think it will, people will find a local (AIHL) team to follow off the back of these games. I'd say I'll be looking for a team to support.”
Tickets to the June 22nd Canada v USA game at Allphones Arena, Sydney are very limited. Please contact ww.ticketek.com.au for event information. For information on the Australian Ice Hockey League and to find your local team head to www.theaihl.com.
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